JUST touched off in the Petingo Handicap on the Irish Champion Stakes card at Leopardstown, Light As Air (13/2) went one place better under Wayne Lordan in the Colm White Bookmaker Beggar’s End Handicap.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, the Wootton Bassett colt tracked the leaders and led a furlong out to beat Vischio by two and a half lengths with last year’s winner Comfort Zone back in third.
O’Brien also ran reserve Saratoga and had earlier tried to switch Lordan to that horse, a request that was denied by the stewards. The Jack Cleary-ridden Saratoga was backed into favouritism and made the running, but faded once headed by his stablemate and finished fifth.
“He was unlucky in Leopardstown,” said O’Brien. “Wayne said he has class going that distance and he quickened up well. Saratoga ran well. It was only his fifth run and he’s probably still a bit of a baby. They could both go for the Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh on the last day of the season.”
Quick turn around
After easily winning a Killarney maiden six days earlier, the Joe Murphy-trained Alphecca (10/3 joint-favourite) was turned out again quickly and scooped a big pot when landing the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final.
Gary Carroll’s mount headed Celestial Joy entering the final furlong and kept on well to post a length and a half win over that rival. The Sioux Nation filly is owned by her breeder Gerard Kervick and Crampscastle Bloodstock Ltd.
Carroll said: “It’s Ger Kervick’s first home-bred, so he’s delighted. She’s an improving filly. A mile is probably her trip and I think she can get blacktype next year.”
THE two listed races for fillies and mares produced big-priced winners with Fleur De Chine (22/1) coming from off the pace to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes for owner/breeder Kirsten Rausing and trainer Jessica Harrington.
They went hard in this mile and a half contest and Colin Keane was happy to sit towards the rear on the blinkered daughter of Study Of Man. The winner gradually picked off tiring rivals and led inside the final furlong to score by a length and a half from Beset.
Jessica Harrington said: “She just hasn’t had soft ground all summer. Colin gave her a very cool ride. She may run again in the Finale Stakes at the Curragh.”
Most improved
The Johnny Murtagh-trained Onemoredance (33/1) has proven to be one of the most improved horses in training on the flat this year and recorded her fifth win of the campaign when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes.
The daughter of King Of Change, owned by the Whyte Hickey Rafter Kilkenny Syndicate, quickened up between horses over a furlong out and kept on strongly under Ben Coen to score by half a length from Smiling.
Murtagh said: “She was tricky at the start of the year, and you have to humour her, but she’s really got into the racing zone and built up lovely through the ranks. She’s in the December mare sale and it’s a great way for her to go.
“The lads get a great kick out of it. Ciaran (Kilkenny, All-Ireland winning footballer with Dublin) loves it and it’s a bit of a release for him. He’s got a few of his friends involved and they love coming to the races.”
Murtagh and Coen had struck earlier when Chicago Pope (10/3) made most of the running up the stands’ side rail to win the Tifrums Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.
The son of Starspangledbanner, owned by Tony Smurfit and Samuel Mencoff, kept on strongly to beat Michael’s Well by three quarters of a length.
“I thought dropping him back to six furlongs would suit and I put the cheekpieces on him,” said Murtagh.
“Ben said he pinged the gates and travelled really well. He’ll be a nice sprinter next year.”
THE market principals Josh’s Joy (5/4 favourite) and Institute were at the head of affairs throughout in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and the former, with the stands’ side rail to help her, went on over a furlong out to post a length and three quarters victory.
Trained by Donnacha O’Brien for Orr, Medallion, Hoffman and Weston, the daughter of Wootton Bassett was dropping back to six furlongs for the first time.
Jockey Gavin Ryan said: “She’s a big, strong individual and has probably just taken a few runs to really get it together. Coming back in trip again would be no problem as she has plenty of pace.”
Big price
The TRM Calphormin - Strong Foundation, Strong Future Apprentice Handicap produced another big-priced winner in the shape of Capital Theory (25/1), who provided Sadhbh Tormey with the second victory of her career.
Trained in Donegal by Declan McGuigan for owners Spa Pallet Services Limited, the Muhaarar gelding led close home to beat Calzaghi by a neck.
Tormey explained: “They went hard so I just dropped him in, and I knew that they were going to tire coming up that hill. Tom McCourt has been very good to me and given me lots of opportunities. He always likes to have a good few for Dundalk, so hopefully I’ll be making the trip up every Friday.”
Dreams coming true
Speckled Meadow (16/1) took the 10-furlong handicap under apprentice title contender Wayne Hassett. The eight-year-old, owned and trained by Carrigtwohill, Co Cork-based Don Browne, led over two furlongs out and went away to post a three and three quarter lengths victory over Thatwilldoso.
“I have to thank Terence O’Brien, as we use his gallop at six every morning,” said Browne. “We have three horses in training and this is our hobby. This is a dream for us, it’s brilliant.”